Authors: Doron, Nik, Bricki, Herzog’s Child, Stretford End and Rob
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With the season nearly over (the Reserves will compete in the Manchester Senior Cup final at the Etihad tomorrow) we reflect on the highs and the lows. Each contributor to the blog shares their thoughts and hopes…
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For United the situation is simple. Avoid defeat (i.e. they have two potential chances, draw or win the match), and the prospect of a 20th title is looking very tasty indeed. By default, City must chase the game (and seek to control it) in search of the three points required to re-position themselves at the top of the league before a tricky trip to Newcastle. The key question for both managers on Monday seems to be whether to play two or three central midfielders.
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Beyond The Pitch and Stretford-End.com have come together once again to record another podcast, the fourth in the series. As ever, we look back on recent games and discuss the Reserves and Academy. Regular Stretford-End.com writer, Nik, joins the show this week to discuss referees specifically. You can also hear Rio Ferdinand and Fergie’s thoughts on the QPR game.
Authors: Stretford End, Doron and Nik
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It’s sad really that many will expect to be reading about non-footballing issues on a piece written about a football game. To be honest, the biggest disappointment post-match was that the Guardian have discontinued their chalkboards and therefore here ends analysis via that method. Anyway, United moved temporarily top after a generally comfortable win over Liverpool as Rooney scored a quick-fire double. Scholes came in for Ashley Young in the only change from the Chelsea game. Liverpool surprisingly left out Bellamy and Suarez came in to start for the first time after his ban.
Here we discuss the talking points of the game and invite Liverpool fans to join in the discussion below.
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Manchester United were down in London to try and match City’s win over Fulham and go level on points again with their neighbours at the top of the table. De Gea returned in goal whilst Rooney and Young came back from injuries to start. Chelsea were forced to give Gary Cahill a debut at the back as they suffered from a few injuries. Having been 3-0 down after 50 minutes, United fought back to draw 3-3 but can maybe feel aggrieved to have not taken maximum points.
Here we discuss the talking points of the game and invite Chelsea fans to join in the discussion below.
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United played Wigan in their penultimate game of 2011. A 100% record against The Latics was likely to be extended – Wigan had only ever scored one goal at Old Trafford previously and United have entered into some good form. Jones and Smalling were surprise absentees through illness whilst Lindegaard kept his place in goal. Rooney was rested giving Hernandez and Berbatov the chance to shine. What followed was a routine dismantling of Martinez’s side.
Below, we discuss the talking points and invite Wigan fans as well as United fans to join in the discussion.
Author: Nik
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Time is running out for Evans’ declared one reputable newspaper columnist in the aftermath of United’s 6-1 defeat recently; many other media outlets decreed that Evans’ selection was akin to nihilistic exuberance by the manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, and the main cause of defeat (a more thorough reflection can be found here on this last point). Yet the evidence seems to depict a rather different story altogether, with Evans the most natural and talented centre half to rise from the youth academy since Wes Brown – and without the injury record at that. In fact, at the tender age of 23 years old, time is seemingly in vast abundance for Jonny Evans.
